Frost Dates for Bristol, NH 03222
Last spring frost May 26 · First fall frost September 16 · 113 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 03222 has about 6,100 people.
Short season: 113 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 9–June 12 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 3–September 30 (27 days).
Frost probability for 03222
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 12 | May 26 | May 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 3 | September 16 | September 30 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PLYMOUTH (20.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 113-day season in Bristol
In Bristol (113 frost-free days, a short season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 21 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 14 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 26 |
| Carrots | — | May 5–May 12 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 5. | Jul 15 |
| Cucumber | May 5 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 85 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 9. | Jun 20 |
| Beans | — | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 2. | Jun 27 |
| Peas | — | Mar 31–Jun 9 | 176 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 176 available after Mar 31. | Jul 6 |
| Zucchini | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 85 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 9. | Jun 25 |
| Onion | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 148 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 31–May 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 14 |
| Kale | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 12 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 28. | Jul 15 |
| Radish | — | Mar 31–Jun 23 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Sep 23. | Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | Mar 31–Jun 23 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Potatoes | — | May 12–May 19 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 16 | 218 | overwinter: Plant Sep 16 to Oct 7; harvest the following summer. | Oct 7 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 21–Jun 16 | 169 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 28 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 85 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 9 | 78 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Bristol has 78 after Jun 9. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 14 | May 19–Jun 2 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 19. | Jun 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 31 | May 12–May 12 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 31–Jun 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 14 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 162 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 28. | Jun 15 |
| Butternut Squash | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 78 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Bristol has 78 after Jun 9. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 7 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 71 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Okra | Apr 28 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 92 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | Jun 25 |
| Basil | Apr 21 | Jun 16–Jun 16 | 78 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 16. | Jun 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 28–May 19 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Parsley | Mar 17 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after Jun 2. | Jul 1 |
| Celery | Mar 17 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 113 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 12 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 28 | May 19–May 26 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 26 |
| Collards | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 12 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cantaloupe | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 3 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 31–Jun 23 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Oregano | Mar 17 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 3 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Sage | Mar 31 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 17 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 14 | May 12–May 26 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Cosmos | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 9 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | Jun 20 |
| Lavender | Mar 3 | May 26–Jun 9 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 14 | May 26–Jun 2 | 99 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | Jun 30 |
| Melons | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 71 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 2 | 99 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | Jun 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 92 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 92 available after Jun 2. | Jun 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 99 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | Jun 10 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 31 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 78 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 78 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Watermelon | May 12 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 78 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 12 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 85 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 9. | Jun 25 |
| Zinnias | Apr 28 | May 26–Jun 9 | 99 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 99 available after May 26. | Jun 20 |
Month by month in Bristol
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 3), Lavender (Mar 3), Onion (Mar 3), Rosemary (Mar 3), Celery (Mar 17), Collards (Mar 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 31), Beets (Mar 31), Dill (Mar 31), Peas (Mar 31), Radish (Mar 31), Spinach (Mar 31). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 7), Calendula (Apr 14), Cauliflower (Apr 14), Marigolds (Apr 14), Pepper (Apr 14), Basil (Apr 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 14), Cilantro (Apr 28), Turnip (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 28), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 28), Cabbage (Apr 28), Collards (Apr 28), Kale (Apr 28), Lettuce (Apr 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 21). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 5), Butternut Squash (May 12), Cantaloupe (May 12), Melons (May 12), Pumpkin (May 12), Spaghetti Squash (May 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 5), Potatoes (May 12), Sunflowers (May 26). Transplant from: Calendula (May 12), Swiss Chard (May 12), Bok Choy (May 19), Cauliflower (May 19), Cosmos (May 26), Lavender (May 26), +4 more. Last frost around May 26. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 2), Pole Beans (Jun 2). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 2), Chives (Jun 2), Corn (Jun 2), Okra (Jun 2), Oregano (Jun 2), Parsley (Jun 2), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 15), Pole Beans (Jun 15), Basil (Jun 20), Cosmos (Jun 20), Cucumber (Jun 20), +9 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Jul 1), Peas (Jul 6), Cabbage (Jul 15), Carrots (Jul 15), Beets (Jul 16), Dill (Jul 16), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 4), Arugula (Aug 14), Spinach (Aug 14), Radish (Aug 15). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 16). First frost around September 16. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 7). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bristol, NH (ZIP 03222)?
The median last spring frost date for Bristol, NH (ZIP code 03222) is around May 26. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 9; one in ten it runs past June 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Bristol, NH?
The median first fall frost date for Bristol, NH is around September 16. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, NH?
The frost-free growing season in Bristol is about 113 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bristol (113 frost-free days, a short season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bristol, NH?
Bristol, NH is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bristol, NH?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 21 and plant out Jun 9 in Bristol. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bristol?
Two: plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 23.
When do I plant garlic in Bristol?
Sep 16 to Oct 7; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Bristol?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Laconia (ZIP 03246) has 124 frost-free days, 11 more than Bristol (ZIP 03222). See Laconia ZIP 03246 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Laconia, NH 03246 (15.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Tilton, NH 03276 (17.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Belmont, NH 03220 (18.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Moultonborough, NH 03254 (21.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Hanover, NH 03755 (21.7 mi)
- When to plant in NH
- When to plant Beans in NH
- When to plant Strawberries in NH
- When to plant Beets in NH
- When to plant Broccoli in NH
- When to plant Carrots in NH
- When to plant Kale in NH
- Look up another ZIP